Page 16 of Coerced

So, I remained just a few feet inside the door, wanting to give her the opportunity to draw the correct conclusion.

It worked.

Within a minute or so, Amelia asked, “You’re going to call my mom?”

“As soon as I get you out of this house, we’re going to call her together,” I promised.

“Where are you going to take me?”

“I’m going to take you out to my car, but we’re not going to go anywhere in it,” I explained. “We’re going to sit there and wait for your mom and dad to get here.”

Following a beat of silence, she acquiesced, “Okay.”

I offered a friendly and reassuring smile. “Now, do you remember how I said I brought some of my friends with me to help find you?”

She nodded.

“Okay. Well, they are in other places in the house keeping the bad guys away. I don’t want you to have to look at those bad guys again, so I think it’d be a good idea if you close your eyes while we leave. Does that sound like a good idea to you?”

After swallowing hard, she gave me another nod.

“Alright. So, since you won’t be able to see to walk out of here, would it be okay with you if I picked you up and carried you?”

Amelia considered her answer and ultimately agreed she was comfortable with it. While I knew I could have waltzed in, scooped her up, and carried her out, I didn’t know the extent of this little girl’s trauma. Any control I could give her in this situation would hopefully help to not traumatize her further.

She scooted off the bed and walked in my direction. When she came to a stop a couple of feet away, her fearful eyes looked up at me. I reached my arms out to her, and when she did the same, I lifted her up.

“Alright, kiddo. You’re safe now. Just close those eyes tight, and I’m going to get you outside before you can count to twenty.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, and I moved. As I walkedout of the room and toward the stairs, I said, “You’re such a brave girl, Amelia. You’re doing so good. Keep the eyes closed for just a few more seconds, and we’ll be outside. I’ll tell you when you can open them.”

Her little arms tightened around my neck as she held on.

Long before Amelia could have counted to twenty, we stepped out into the fresh air. Even the muggy summer air felt like paradise compared to being inside that house.

“Okay, Amelia. You can open your eyes now.”

She opened her eyes just as Magnus came up behind me.

“All good?” he asked.

“Yeah. You?”

“Yeah. All threats neutralized. Damon and Hart are working on calming Nixon down, but otherwise, we’re good. I’m calling the Steel Ridge PD and getting an ambulance on the way.”

I jerked my chin up. “Good work. I’m taking her to my car. We’re going to call her parents.”

With that, I walked away from the house and toward my car. And before I knew it, Amelia was reunited with her parents, all of them breaking down into tears the moment they saw one another.

Amelia’s father had approached me, the haunted look I’d seen in his eyes several days ago still lingering. He hadn’t been able to thank me enough for rescuing his little girl. I assured him it had been a team effort and that no thanks were needed. We were all just relieved Amelia was safe and could get the help she needed to recover.

And a few hours later, I was on my way home, hoping I’d find a way to erase the horror of the day. A little girlwas safe and with her family again. That was the only bright side. That she had ever needed to endure whatever awful things might have happened in that house was devastating. Maybe the day had ended well, but there was no question Amelia had a long road ahead of her.

It was at times like this when I both loved and hated my job. Because while there was the rewarding aspect to it, there were the downsides. And sometimes, they were far too ugly.

I could only hope I’d never have to experience the fear that so many individuals faced when their loved ones went missing.

The arrow flew and landed right in the middle of the target. A sense of satisfaction washed over me.

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